Classic Poem

I.

There was a star that lit my life —
It hath set to rise no more,
For Heaven, in mercy, withdrew the light
I fain would have knelt before.

II.

There was a flower I pluck'd in my dreams,
Fragrant and fair to see;
Oh, would I had never awoke and found
Such bloom noThere for me.

III.

There was a harp, whose magic tone,
Echoed my faintest words —
But Destiny's hand, with a ruthless touch,
Hath rent the golden chords.

IV.

There was a path like Eden's vale,
In which I was spell'd to stray,
But Destiny rose with a flaming sword
To guard that path alway.

V.

I've looked on eyes were like the star —
Their light is quench'd for me;
And a soul I have known like the golden harp
That breath'd but melody.

VI.

And moments bright as that dream-land
Where bloomed the radiant flower.
Oh! would I had died ere I felt the gloom
Of this dark, joyless hour.

VII.

Fatal the time I rais'd mine eyes
To eyes whose light hath blasted —
Yet ere I could turn from their glance away,
Life had with gazing wasted.

VIII.

Bitter the thought that years may pass —
Yet thus it must be ever,
To look on thy form, to hear thy voice —
But nearer — never, never.

IX.

Could I but love as I love the stars,
Or the gush of the twilight breeze,
Or the pale light of the wandering moon
Glancing through forest trees;

X.

With a sinless, calm, untroubled love,
Look upwards and adore —
Could I but thus gaze life away,
Without the wish to soar.

XI.

In vain! in vain! I hope, I weep,
I kneel the long nights in prayer —
Oh! better to die in the noon of life,
Than love, and yet despair.